Scoop and loader attachment for tractors



J. KOHORST ET AL SCOOP AND LOADER ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed 001'.. 14, 1957 Aug. 7, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v /N VEN 7' ORS. JUEPH KHORST VERNON JSEPH KOHPJT @YW TOPYEK Aug. 7, 1962 J. KoHoRsT ET AL sooo:D AND LOADER ATTACHMENT FOR TRAcToRs Filed oct. 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Aug. 7, 1962 J. KoHoRsT ET AL SCOOP AND LOADER ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed oct. 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /NVEN 70H5.

./osEPH KoHoRsr TTU/ZVEI.

All@ 7,1962 .1. KoHoRsT ETAL 3,048,292

SCOOP AND LOADER ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTORS Filed OCT.. 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m lao JOSEP/1 KGHOST VERNON JOSEPH l( HORS T wlw ,4 TTORNEK United States Patent Giiice 3,048,292 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 Our invention relates to improvements in material handling and moving devices designed for attachment to a tractor.

One of the important objects contemplated herein is the provision of a loader attachment for a tractor having improved means for elevating the same so as to provide maximum force in initially lifting a load.

Another object inhering herein is to provide a loader attachment of the above class having means for varying the height to which a load can be elevated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a loader attachment for tractors that includes an improved scoop adjustable for handling a variety of materials.

A further object is to provide a loader attachment of the above class including improved scoop structure for shaking a load loose thereon and discharging the same therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of this invention reside in the details of construction and correlation of the various parts and will be apparent as `the description proceeds.

This invention consists of novel parts and combination of parts to be hereinafter described whereby the objects set forth are attained, as pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 'l is a perspective view of a tractor showing a preferred embodiment of our invention mounted thereon,

FlG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hoist assembly used with this invention, the same being shown elevated in solid lines and lowered in broken lines,

FlG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a modified position for mounting the scissor type hoist used with this apparatus,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the scoop used with this attachment with portions broken away to more ful-ly illustrate the construction thereof,

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional `View taken o-n the line 5--5 of FIG. 4 with a portion cut away for clearer illustration thereof,

FIG. 6 is a reduced perspective view of the scoop showing part of the floor plate removed to expose the tines for use with hay and the like,

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4, l

FIGS. 8, 9 and l0 are each side elevational views showing only the scoop mechanism in various positions of operation, and

FIG. 1l is an enlarged perspective View of our hoist shown in open or extended position,

Referring to the drawings a tractor is designated generally by the numeral 12 and is illustrative of the type of equipment on which `our invention is mounted. A frame structure for our scoop and hoist apparatus includes a pair of elongated parallel spaced .beams 14 and 16 placed astraddle the tractor and the front wheel assembly -18 so as to be pivotally secured at respective opposite sides of the tractor to the rear axle and to extend forwardly therefrom beyond the wheels 13 for pivotal attachment to the scoop assembly Ztl as will later be referred to in more detail. A transverse brace 22 connects beams 14 and 16 just rearwardly of the scoop 2t) and carried on these beams intermediate the ends thereof is the upstanding frame or yoke 24 consisting of the parallel sides 26 and 2S and integral cross bar 30. Yoke 24 is positioned just in front of the tractor radiator 32 and each side 26 and 28 is provided with suitable bracking 34 (FIG. 1) to both the forward and -rearward portions of the respective beams f4 and 16.

Our means for raising and lowering beams 14 and 16 includes an improved scissor type hoist indicated generally at 36 and reference is made more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and ll for the following description thereof. Hoist 36 comprises respective upper and lower pairs of lifting arms, the upper pair having the elongated spaced parallel arms '38 and 40 with one ormore suitable spacer braces 42, and the lower pair is similarly formed with the spaced arms 44 and 46 and the braces 48. Such arms are pivotally attached to each other at one end by a pin 56 so that their resulting lengths can move toward and away from each other in scissor fashion. As seen in FIGS. 1 and ll, it will be noted that pin 50' is not centrally positioned on either arm unit but the opening for such pin is offset toward the adjacent sides of such arms. of the upper arms 31S and 48 is pivotally secured to suitable ears or brackets 52 depending from the central portion of the 4crossbar 36 on yoke 24, and the other end of the lower arms 44 and 46 carries a transverse rod 54 that is pivotally journalled in a bearing unit 56 mounted to the forward portion of the tractor frame 58 and forwardly of radiator 32. Thus mounted the hoist 36 projects forwardly of tractor l2 and inits lowermost or closed position the lower arms are on a substantially horizontal plane with the upper arms inclined slightly upward frompin' 50 to yoke 24. On the lower arms 44 and 46 there are a plurality of spaced registering holes 58, 60, 62 and 64 f extending in line along the longitudinal axes of such arms and intermediate the ends thereof and a similar grouping of holes 66, 68, 70 and 72v are placed in the upper arms 38 and 40. An inverted U shaped frame or saddle 74 has its respective ends pivotally mounted by pins 76 to the inner sides of the upper arms 38 and 40 in any one of i the registering holes 66, 68, 70 or 72, such holes being selected for certain adjustments as will later appear. A bracket or keeper 78 ,(FIG. 11) is mounted to the inner side of each arm 38 and 40 so that the ends of saddle 74 are intermediate each respective arm and bracket. Brackets 7S have openings 80' to register with openings in the arm end to receive pin 76.

A one Way acting hydraulic jack member has one end of the cylinder 82 pivotally secured in any suitable manner to the lower arm unit such as by attachment to the transverse rod 84 pivotally journalled in registering holes in -such lower arms, and the outer end of the piston rod 86 carries a clevis 88 for attachment to the closed end of saddle 74. Rod 86 is hydraulically operated in a well known manner with cylinder 82 having a hydraulic iluld line 9i) designed for connection to hydraulic power on tractor 12. In closed position of hoist 36 it will be seen that the hydraulic jack and saddle 74 `are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the lifting arms 38 and 40- and 42 and 44. Extension of rod 86 under hydraulic pressure will elevate beams 14 and 16 with scoop 20 as shown in FIG. 2 and it will be noted that the cylinder 82 and rod 86 are at all times in parallel alignment with the saddle 74.

Because of the mounting arrangement of our hydraulic jack and saddle 74 as described and shown particularly in FIG. 1 the greatest effect of the lifting force is obtained in the initial lifting action, such force being applied directly transversely ofthe longitudinal axis of the lifting arms in the direction of elevation. By mounting the saddle lor the jack -to different sets of registering holes in the lifting `arms the amount of leverage can be selectively increased or decreased and the. maximum lifting height can also be selectively varied. Such adjustments can be in what we call full or half steps. For example, we have shown four holes in each set of lifting arms for illustrations, 58, 60, 62 and 64 on the lower arms and 66, 68, 70 and '72 The other end spaanse on the upper arms. Corresponding holes on the respective arms are thus S and 66, 60 and 68, 62 and 70, and 64 and 72. In FIG. l saddle 74 is mounted in holes 70 of the upper arms and the jack is in the corresponding holes 62 of the lower arm. A change of both the jack and saddle to another set of corresponding holes in the lifting arms would be a full step adjustment whereas a half step adjustment is possible by moving either the jack or the saddle to an adjacent set of holes on its respective arm attachment from that shown in FIG. l. In other words a half step adjustment can be made relative to any one of the holes in the lifting arms by mounting the saddle in any given set of holes or the upper arm and mounting the jack to any set of holes on the lower arm adjacent the corresponding hole as above set forth. This permits a much greater variety of adjustments than has heretofore been possible in devices of this type.

Reference is now made to our improved scoop assembly shown generally in FIG. 1 and more particularly in FIGS. 4-10 inclusive. at respective sides by the upstanding integral side members 94 and 96 which have top edges inclining downwardly from rear to front and terminating in the outwardly projecting iiange 98. Across the rear portion of the floor 92 there is a plurality of upstanding spaced parallel stiffeners boxed in at the top by the strap or bar frame 102 (FIG. 4). The forward end of beams 14 and 16 are pivotally secured to the outer sides of the respective scoop sides 94 and 96 (FIG. 7) so that no bolts or pins project inwardly within the confines of the scoop. This is accomplished by securing a plate 104 to the outer side of the scoop, said plate being turned out and back to form a U bracket 106. The forward end of beams 14 and 16 are positioned in said respective brackets 106 and a pin 10S passes through the bracket, beam end and seats in plate 104. Spaced ears are provided on bracket 106 between which one end of pin 10B rests and another pin 112 locks pin 108 to ears 110. In this way pin 108 cannot be dislodged and beams 14 and 16 are effectively pivotally connected to the scoop. A bolt and nut means 114 connect to mountings 116 and 118 on the beam 14 and 16 and scoop sides respectively for adjusting the tilt of the scoop relative to beams 14 and 16.

On oor plate 92 we have secured a plurality of spaced parallel square tubing members extending from front to rear and mounted therein are the respective tines 122 that project forwardly of the scoop as shown in FIGS. 4 and'6. Tines 122 are secured at their rearward ends to oor 92 by bolts 124. A floor extension plate 126 (FIG. 4) has sides 128 and 130 provided with flanges 132 complementary in shape with flanges 98 on sides 94 and 96 and designed to abut against and be secured thereto by bolts 134. Sides 128 andj130 also include integral rearwardly extending arms 136 and 138 that rest flush on the top edge of the respective scoop sides 94 and 96 and are secured at their rearward end to the respective ends of frame 102 by bolts 140. Extension plate 126 is also provided with a plurality of spaced parallel square tubing members 142 positioned respectively to register with tubing members 120 so as to constitute a longitudinal extension thereof for encasing tines 122. Sides 128 and 130 may be secured to an adjacent tine 122 by a bolt 144.

t With extension plate 126 mounted as described and shown in FIG. 4 it will be seen that tines 122 project only a relatively small distance beyond the outer edge 146 of the` plate. This provides a substantially closed in scoop for handling free owing grain and the like. Such extension unit is removable as shown in FIG. 6 where the tines 122 project a substantial distance from floor plate 92 for use with such materials as hay, manure, and the like where more penetration of the tines is'required and a closed scoop is not essential. For use of the scoop as shown in FIG. 6 a pair of side extension plates 148 and 150 are mounted to sides 94 and 96. For this purpose plates 148 and 150 have iianges 152 for attachment to anges 98 by A floor plate 92 is enclosed bolts 154. Sides 148 and 150 are secured to an adjacent tine by a bolt 156. i

To aid is discharging a load from the scoop assembly, we have provided means for forcibly moving out material received in the scoop which is shown generally in FIG. 1 and in more detail as to operation in FIGS. 8, 9 and l0. Such means includes an upstanding pusher plate 158 positioned within the scoop `for movement toward and away from the free ends of tines 122 as will later appear. Plate 158 has the lateral wing members 160 on respective sides which are adjacent the respective inner sides 94 and 96 of the scoop 20, and a forwardly inclined flange portion 162 along its upper edge. The bottom of plate 158 is notched 164 as required to provide clearance over the tubing 120 and 142 when the same is moved. Such movement is provided by rvarious linkage under hydraulic power and includes a shaft 166 rotatably mounted transversely of beams 14 and 16 to depending bearing members `168 on said respective beams and at a point intermediate yoke 24 and the scoop 20. Shaft 166 projects beyond beam 14 (FIG. l) and carries an integral arm or lever 170 disposed perpendicularly thereto. A two way acting hydraulic jack 172 has one end of the cylinder 174 pivotally attached to a bearing member 176 on beam 14 and thev outer end of the cylinder rod 177 pivotally attached to lever 170. Fluid lines 178 and 179 connect cylinder 174 to hydraulic power on the tractor in a well known manner. Thus operation of jack 172 will turn shaft 166 about its longitudinal axis. On shaft 166 in parallel spaced relationship we have rigidly mounted a pair of arms 180 that project perpendicularly therefrom and when beams 14 and 16 are in lowered position such arms 180 extend generally rearwardly and upwardly from shaft 166 as shown in FIGS, 1 and 8. Arms 180 terminate at their upper ends in a hook member 182 to which there is pivotally secured one end of a rigid link arm 184 that at its other end has the diverging `arm portions 186 and 188 which pass between stitfeners 100 for pivotal attachment in vertical spaced relationship to the back side of pusher plate 158. Thus, as shaft 166 is rotated, arms 180 move forwardly to push plate 158 forwardly by the link connection therewith as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. When this is done it will be noted that the connection of link 184 to hook 182 goes past center (FIG. 10) causing a rearward tilting of plate 158. Arms 180 can be jockeyed back and forth by regulation of pressure in lines 178 and 179 of jack 172 to effectively shake plate 158 so as to loosen any material that might be adhering to it. Plate 158 is withdrawn to the position shown in FIG. l by rotating shaft 166 toward the rear. In this movement upwardly curving runners 190 project rearwardly from the lower portion of plate 158 so as to `ride easily over the forward edges of tubing 120. It is also pointed out that since the pusher plate 158 and the wings 160 attached thereto are free of attachment to the boom oor 92, it could swing upwardly and even backwardly with link 184 pivoting at point 182 unless restrained when the boom is elevated and in this respect bar 102 serves as a stop engageable by arm 188 of link 184 to permit only a limited upward tilt of plate 158 under the condition indicated.

With reference to FIG. 3 we have shown a modified form of mounting our hoist 36 which includes extending the lifting arms toward the rear of the tractor and alongside the tractor engine. In all other respects the operation is the same as described above.

It is submitted that the invention shown and described is aptly suited to achieve the purposes intended and is characterized by a combination of highly useful and mutually cooperating elements that combine their respective and proportionate functions in accomplishing the objects sought to be obtained.

It will be understood that the phraseology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not for limitation and that modifications and changes in the construction and arrangement of this invention can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit and purpose thereof. It is thus intended to cover by the claims, any modied forms of structure or mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim:

1. A loader attachment for a tractor, comprising, a frame designed to straddle a tractor engine so as to project forwardly thereof and be pivotally secured to the rear axle thereof, `an upstanding yoke on said frame, hoist means -operably connected between said yoke and said tractor, said hoist means including a pair of elongated lifting arms pivotally secured together at one respective end, the other end of yone arm pivotally secured to said yoke, the other end of the other -arrn pivotally secured to said tractor frame, a saddle projecting perpendicularly from one arm, a hydraulic -jack pivotally connected at one end to said saddle and similarly connected at the other end tothe other arm, said arms forming a scissors type hoist with said hydraulic jack disposed transversely of the lon-gitudinal axis thereof when in closed position, and said hydraulic jack designed to connect to a source of lhydraulic power on said tractor, a scoop on the projecting end of said frame, a pusher plate slidably disposed within said scoop, and means on said frame operably connected to said pusher plate for moving the same relative to said scoop.

2. A device as dened in claim 1 including means to selectively attach `said hydraulic jack and said saddle to said respective arms at different points along the longitudinal axis thereof for varying the height limit of said arms and the leverage thereof.

3. A loader attachment for a tractor, comprising, a frame designed to straddle a tractor engine so asto project forwardly thereof and be pivotally secured to the rear axle thereof, fan upstanding yoke `on said frame, hoist means operably connected between said yoke and' said tractor, said hoist means including a pair ofelongated lifting arms pivotally secured together at one respective end, the other end of one arm pivotally secured to said yoke, the other end of the other arm pivotally secured to said tracto-r frame, a saddle projecting perpendicularly from one arm., a hydraulic jack pivotally connected at one end to said saddle and similarly connected at the other end to the `other ar-m, said arms forming a scissor type hoist with said hydraulic jack disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof when in closed position, and said hydraulic jack designed to connect to a source of hydraulic po-wer on said tractor, a scoop on the projecting end of said frame, a pusher plate slidably disposed within said scoop, a shaft rotatably journalled on said frame and disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof, means for rotating said shaft about its longitudinal axis, a rigid arm integral with said shaft and extending perpendicular therefrom, linkage means connecting said arm and said .pusherplate, rotation of said shaft causing said pusher plate to move relative to said scoop, and alternate rotation of said shaft in opposite directions respectively causing said pusher plate to tilt in opposite directions respectively relative to its direction of movement.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 460,997 Skone Oct. 13, 1891 947,964 Collins Feb. 1, 1910 1,964,359 Le Tourneau lune 26, 1934 2,109,392 Le Bleu Feb. 22,1938 2,373,848 Owens Apr. 17, 1945 2,416,654 Taylor Feb. 25, 1947 2,468,424 Brauch Apr. 26, 1949 2,501,243 Snyder Mar. 21, 1950 2,588,489 Day Mar. 11, 1952 2,612,280 Stueland Sept. 30, 1952 2,638,237 Struthers et al May 12, 1953 2,746,624 Stueland May 22, 1956 2,798,627 Kucera July 9, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,109 Italy August 1955 OTHER REFERENCES Matched Working Equipment, for John Deere, models 50, and 70 tractors, 1953. (Copy in Div. 4.) 

